Clasp for watch-chains



(No Model.) l

T. MASON.

GLAsPl-OR WATCH CHAINS. No. 524,782. Patented Aug. 21, 1894.

IFIGJ'- All/101111171 ms mans ce.; PHooLlTv-ln, wAsmNcroN, n. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OEEICE.

CLASP FOR WATCH-CHAINS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 524,782, dated August 2,1, 1894.

l Application led November 4, 1893. Serial No. 490,053. (No model.)

Vand I do declare the following to bea full,

clear, and exact description of the invention,

such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form'a part of this specification.

My invention is an improved clasp for watch chains, necklaces, &c., and consists in certain novel features hereinafter described and claimed. i

The object of my invention is to provide a clasp which will securely fasten the chain to the bowof the watch, which cannot be accidentally unfastened and by the use of which the wear on the bow will be reduced to a minimum. This object I accomplish by the use of the device illustrated in the accompa- 1 nying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is an elevation illustrating my improved clasp in its operative position. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of the clasp as it appears when closed and Fig. 3 is a similar View showing the clasp open.

The watch bow A and the chain B are Of the usual or any preferred construction and to the end of the chain I secure the smaller links or supplemental chain O. This supplemental chain Ois attached to a hookD which is provided with a transverse socket or recess E, in one side, in which is seated aspring F as clearly shown. -A bolt or locking pin G is arranged within this recess and rests on said spring so as to normally be forced outward thereby: The outer end of the bolt or pin is provided with the central teat H which is adapted to engage an opening I in the barrel J, inclosing the hook, and forms a shoulder K adapted to impinge against the barrel and thereby prevent the pin or bolt from being forced from the barrel by the spring. The said barrel is of alength sufticient to entirely inclose the hook and the spur or tooth, L, of

the hook is of such a diameteras to fit snugly within the barrel. The inner end of the barrel is provided with an internal annular rim or iiange M which is adapted to impinge against the end of the barrel and thereby prevent the same from being pushed Oi the hook in the event of the opening I being turned out of alignment with the bolt or pin. Aloop or strap, N, of leather or other flexible and durable material is passed around the bow of the watch and its ends engaged by the spur or tooth of the hook.

Such being the construction and arrangement of the several parts of the device, the operation of the same will be readily understood. When the clasp is closed, as shown in Figs. l and 2, the barrel entirely incloses the hook and the end of the loop or strap which encircles the watch bow so that it is impossible to disengage said loop from the hook and release the watch. If, for any reason, it becomes necessary to open the clasp, the locking pin or bolt is pushed inward by a pin point, or similar device, and the barrel is then pushed upward over the small links or supplemental chain, the end of the watch chain preventing it from being pushed entirely from the hook. The end of the hook is thus disclosed and the loop can be easily released. To fasten the clasp the barrel is pushed back over the hook and turned until the opening I registers with the end of the locking pin or bolt, when said bolt will enter said opening and fasten the clasp.

It will be Observed that the clasp is simple in its construction and compact in its arrangement. There are no projecting parts to catch in the clothing and accidentally unfasten the clasp and, by substituting a flexible loop for the metallic swivel now in common use, the

wear on the watch bow is reduced to a mini-V mum.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

A clasp for watch chains consisting of a hook engaging a flexible loop and provided with a recess in Vits side, a sliding barrel mounted on said hook and adapted to cover the end of the loop, anda spring-actuated 4locking pin or bolt seated in said recess and adapted to engage and hold the barrel.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

THOMAS MASON. Witnesses:

CHARLES A. BARNES, I. M. FOX.

IOO 

